Delanie Walker is recovering fast

Tight end Delanie Walker spoke about his broken jaw ordeal, which included 10 days of eating nourishment through a straw because his jaw was wired shut.

Walker still has braces on his teeth and bands can be attached at any time to stabilize the jaw. Walker said one advantage of the process was that the braces might straighten his lower teeth.

Walker is healing rapidly. Most people with broken jaws have their mouths wired shut for four weeks, and Walker has already been cleared to workout and run, which he has been doing daily.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t appear as if he will be available Saturday for the divisional playoff game against the Saints. Walker admitted he has an appointment scheduled for Monday with doctors. However, he could be ready should the 49ers reach the NFL title game.

Walker also said that he has watched the replay of the injury several times, which occurred when Seattle linebacker LeRoy Hill tried to jump over him and instead kneed Walker in the side of the facemask, which caused his helmet to spin off.

“It was just a freak thing,” he said.

Walker said he initially felt no pain, but knew something was wrong when he couldn’t close his mouth.

Earlier, he said he didn’t sustain a concussion or lose any teeth because he was wearing a mouth guard.